Turkey, the Cypriot source said, is furious over the growing ties between Jerusalem and Nicosia and encouraged by the United States.
While Cypriot officials refused to respond on the record to Turkish criticism of Nicosia’s purchase of an Israeli air defense system, one official told The Press Service of Israel that Ankara is likely trying to stir tension in the Eastern Mediterranean to extract concessions.
Turkey, the Cypriot source said, is furious over the growing ties between Jerusalem and Nicosia and encouraged by the United States.
Officials in the Turkish Defense Ministry were quoted by the Associated Press as saying that Cyprus’ purchase of the Israeli-made Barak MX air defense system could destabilize the divided island’s “fragile balance,” leading to “dangerous consequences.”